Battery, battery holding mechanism, and electric bicycle

Abstract

The present invention provides improved security by doubly securing a battery to a frame of an electric bicycle, and enables a user to easily attach and detach the battery. A holding device (4) of an electric bicycle (1) comprises: a base part (41); a stopper (42) configured to lock a first locking part (61) included in a lock device (6); and a locking member (43) configured to be locked to a second locking part (62) included in the lock device (6). The first locking part (61) is movable in a first direction (91). At least one of the second locking part (62) and the locking member (43) is movable, in a direction different from the first direction (91), between a position at which the second locking part (62) and the locking member (43) are locked with each other and a position at which the second locking part (62) and the locking member (43) are not locked with each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a holding device, a battery, a battery holding mechanism, and an electric bicycle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure for removably fixing a battery to the frame of an electric bicycle. In this structure, a keyhole and a lever are provided on the frame, and when a user wants to remove the battery from the frame, they insert a key into the keyhole and rotate it in one direction to release the battery. Next, the user rotates the lever to slide the battery along the frame. By going through this procedure, the user can remove the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 186814 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology described above, the battery is released when the user inserts the key into the keyhole and turns it. In other words, the battery is secured in one step in the conventional technology. After releasing the battery, the user must then rotate a lever attached to the frame to forcibly slide the battery along the frame, and then grasp the battery to remove it from the frame. This makes battery removal a time-consuming process.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to improve safety by doubly securing a battery to the frame of an electric bicycle, and to enable users to easily remove the battery.

[0006] A holding device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a holding device used to detachably hold a battery main body relative to a locking device fixed to the frame of an electric bicycle, and includes a base portion fixed to the battery main body, a stopper configured to engage with a first locking portion included in the locking device, and a locking member configured to engage with a second locking portion included in the locking device. The first locking portion is movable in a first direction. At least one of the second locking portion and the locking member is movable in a direction different from the first direction between an engaged position where the second locking portion and the locking member engage with each other and an unlocked position where the second locking portion and the locking member do not engage with each other.

[0007] The battery retaining device according to the first aspect can secure the battery to the frame of the electric bicycle in two ways, thereby enhancing safety. In addition, the user can remove the battery by operating at least one of the second locking portion and the locking member, making it easy to remove the battery.

[0008] In the holding device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the locking member is an operating lever that is movable in the direction relative to the base portion.

[0009] According to the holding device of the second aspect, the user can remove the battery by operating the operating lever provided on the battery side with their fingers, making it easy to remove the battery.

[0010] In a holding device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, the operating lever is biased so as to hold the operating lever in the locking position.

[0011] According to the holding device of the third aspect, the user can maintain the sub-lock when the operating lever is not pressed in, and can release the sub-lock when the operating lever is pressed in against the biasing force.

[0012] In a holding device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the second or third aspect, the operating lever is biased in a direction parallel to the base portion.

[0013] According to the holding device of the fourth aspect, the user can easily push in the operating lever while still holding the battery.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the holding device of any one of the second to fourth aspects, the holding device further includes an elastic member, and the operating lever is biased by the elastic member.

[0015] According to the holding device of the fifth aspect, the user can maintain the sub-lock by the biasing force of the elastic member when the operating lever is not pressed in, and can release the sub-lock when the operating lever is pressed in against the biasing force.

[0016] In a holding device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the operating lever has a spindle portion rotatably connected to the base portion, a locking portion configured to lock with the second locking portion of the locking device, and a pushing portion to be pushed in by a user. The distance between the spindle portion and the pushing portion is greater than the distance between the spindle portion and the locking portion.

[0017] According to the holding device of the sixth aspect, it is easy to ensure the movement width of the pushing portion, and it is also easy to apply a large force to the locking portion.

[0018] A holding device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the second to sixth aspects, further comprising a cover member fixed to the base portion so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever, the cover member being detachable from the base portion.

[0019] According to the holding device of the seventh aspect, the cover member of the holding device that constitutes one end of the battery, which is assumed to be relatively susceptible to damage or deformation, can be easily replaced.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the holding device of any one of the first to seventh aspects further includes a lock plate fixed to the base portion, and a surface of the lock plate forms a surface of the stopper.

[0021] According to the holding device of the eighth aspect, the lock plate, which is one of the holding devices that constitutes one end of the battery and is expected to be relatively susceptible to damage, deformation, etc., can be easily replaced.

[0022] A holding device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the second to fifth aspects, further comprising a cover member fixed to the base portion. The operating lever has a pushing portion that is pushed in by a user. The cover member is fixed to the base portion so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever excluding the pushing portion.

[0023] According to the holding device of the ninth aspect, in the holding device constituting one end of the battery, the operating lever can be protected by the cover member while ensuring operability of the operating lever.

[0024] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a holding device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, further comprising a cover member fixed to the base portion. The operating lever has a locking portion that locks to the second locking portion of the locking device. The cover member is fixed to the base portion so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever excluding the locking portion.

[0025] According to the holding device of the tenth aspect, the operating lever can be protected by the cover member while ensuring the operability of the operating lever.

[0026] A battery according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a holding device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects and the battery body having the holding device fixed to one end thereof.

[0027] According to the battery of the eleventh aspect, the battery is doubly secured to the frame of the electric bicycle, thereby enhancing safety. In addition, the user can remove the battery by operating the operating lever with their fingers, making the battery removal process easy.

[0028] A battery holding mechanism according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure includes the holding device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects and the locking device including the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is movable in the first direction between an engaging position where it engages with the stopper of the holding device and an unlocking position where it does not engage with the stopper.

[0029] The battery holding mechanism according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention doubles the securing of the battery to the frame of the electric bicycle, thereby enhancing safety. In addition, the user can easily remove the battery by operating the operating lever provided on the battery side with their fingers.

[0030] A battery holding mechanism according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the twelfth aspect, wherein the locking device integrally comprises the second locking portion configured to be engaged by the locking member, and a main locking portion that movably holds the first locking portion.

[0031] According to the battery holding mechanism of the thirteenth aspect, the battery can be stably fixed to the frame by both the main lock, which is performed based on the operation of the main lock section, and the sub-lock, which is performed based on the operation of the operating lever.

[0032] An electric bicycle according to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes the battery holding mechanism according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the battery body to which the holding device of the battery holding mechanism is fixed, and the frame to which the locking device of the battery holding mechanism is fixed. The holding device is fixed to an upper end of the battery body.

[0033] According to the electric bicycle of the fourteenth aspect, the battery is doubly secured to the frame of the electric bicycle, thereby enhancing safety. In addition, the user can remove the battery by operating the operating lever provided on the battery side with their fingers, making the battery removal process easy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part of the electric bicycle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main part of the electric bicycle with the battery released from its fixed position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line cc in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a battery provided in the electric bicycle. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the upper end portion of the battery. [Figure 10] Figure 10A is a top view of the holding device of the battery with the cover member removed, showing the operating lever in the locked position, and Figure 10B is a top view of the holding device with the cover member removed, showing the operating lever in the unlocked position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the operating lever of the same. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the battery combined with the lock unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the lock unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the battery and a holder supporting the battery. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a front view of a bottom cover of the battery. [Figure 16] 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line dd in FIG. 15, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along line ee in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a modified example of the electric bicycle. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of another modified example of the electric bicycle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] 1. One embodiment 1-1. Overall structure of electric bicycle The electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment shown in Figure 1 is an electrically assisted bicycle. The electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment includes a frame 10, two wheels 11 rotatably connected to the frame 10, a handle section 12, a saddle section 13, and a motor unit 15 attached to the frame 10. The two wheels 11 are a front wheel 111 and a rear wheel 112. Of these, the rear wheel 112 is rotated by the driving force output from the motor unit 15.

[0036] The up and down directions used in this document are defined based on the electric bicycle 1 being placed on a horizontal plane. The front, back, left, and right directions used in this document are defined based on the rider of the electric bicycle 1. In other words, the direction in which the rider is moving forward while riding the electric bicycle 1 is forward, the opposite side is backward, the left direction as seen from the rider is leftward, and the right direction as seen from the rider is rightward.

[0037] The frame 10 has a head tube 101, a top tube 102, a down tube 103, a seat tube 104, seat stays 105, chain stays 106, and a bracket 107. The frame 10 (i.e., the above-mentioned components constituting the frame 10) is made of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, but may contain a non-metallic material in part. The entire frame 10 may also be made of a non-metallic material, and the material of the frame 10 is not particularly limited.

[0038] A handlebar section 12 is rotatably attached to the head tube 101. A front fork 121 extends downward from the lower end of the handlebar section 12. A front wheel 111 is rotatably attached to the front fork 121.

[0039] The front end of the top tube 102 is fixed to the head tube 101. The rear end of the top tube 102 is fixed to the seat tube 104. The saddle portion 13 is connected to the upper end of the seat tube 104. A bracket 107 is fixed to the lower end of the seat tube 104. The down tube 103 is a tube that extends diagonally upward and forward from the bracket 107, and the front end of the down tube 103 is fixed to the head tube 101. In other words, the down tube 103 is a tube that extends diagonally downward and rearward from the head tube 101 toward the bracket 107, and the rear end of the down tube 103 is fixed to the bracket 107.

[0040] A motor unit 15 is fixed to the underside of the bracket 107. The front ends of the chain stays 106 are fixed to the rear end of the bracket 107. The front ends of the seat stays 105 are fixed to the rear end of the top tube 102. The rear ends of the seat stays 105 are connected to the rear ends of the chain stays 106, and a rear wheel 112 is rotatably mounted to this connected portion.

[0041] A crank arm 18 is rotatably inserted into the motor unit 15. A front sprocket 191 is provided inside the motor unit 15. A rear sprocket 192 is fixed to the hub of the rear wheel 112. A chain 193 is wound between the front sprocket 191 and the rear sprocket 192.

[0042] Furthermore, the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment includes a battery 2 for supplying power to the motor unit 15, and a lock unit 5 for detachably mounting the battery 2 to the frame 10 (see FIGS. 5 and 12).

[0043] The battery 2 includes a battery body 3 and a holding device 4 fixed to one longitudinal end of the battery body 3 (see Figures 4, 5, 6, etc.). The one longitudinal end of the battery body 3 is the upper end of the battery body 3.

[0044] The lock unit 5 is composed of a locking device 6 to which the battery 2 is detachably attached, and a fixing structure 7 that fixes the locking device 6 to the frame 10 so that the position of the locking device 6 can be adjusted. In one embodiment of the electric bicycle, the locking device 6 detachably fixes a part of the battery 2 (i.e., the holding device 4). As a result, the battery 2 is detachably fixed to the locking unit 5 including the locking device 6, and is therefore detachably attached to the frame 10 via the locking unit 5.

[0045] In one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the lock unit 5 is attached to the down tube 103 of the frame 10. The down tube 103 is provided with a cutout portion 108 that opens forward (more specifically, diagonally downward toward the front). The battery 2 is attached to the down tube 103 via the lock unit 5 in a manner that allows it to fit into the cutout portion 108. In other words, the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10 is a recessed portion provided in a part of the frame 10.

[0046] Each of these components will be described in more detail below.

[0047] 1-2. Battery body 2, 3, 8, 14, etc., the battery body 3 that constitutes the main body of the battery 2 includes a plurality of storage battery cells 31, a cylindrical case 32 that surrounds the plurality of storage battery cells 31, a cover 33 attached to the outer surface of the case 32, and a bottom cover 35 that covers the lower end of the case 32. When attached to the outer surface of the case 32, the cover 33 forms part of the surface of the battery 2.

[0048] The battery body 3 in one embodiment includes a plurality of storage battery cells 31, but it is sufficient to include at least one storage battery cell 31. The longitudinal direction of the case 32 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the battery body 3 and also coincides with the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. Grooves 321, 322 for hooking the cover 33 are formed on both left and right sides of the outer circumferential surface of the case 32 (see FIG. 3). The grooves 321, 322 are bottomed grooves that extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the case 32 and are formed over the entire length of the case 32 in the longitudinal direction.

[0049] The cover 33 has a cover member 330 with an arc-shaped cross section that forms the main body of the cover 33, and a cover holding member 331 with an arc-shaped cross section for attaching the cover member 330 to the case 32. A claw structure 332 for hooking the cover 33 to the case 32 is provided on the peripheral edge of the cover 33 (i.e., the peripheral edge of the cover holding member 331). The claw structure 332 includes a left claw 333 and a right claw 334. The left claw 333 hooks into the left groove 321 of the case 32, and the right claw 334 hooks into the right groove 322 of the case 32, so that the cover 33 is temporarily fixed to the case 32 so as to cover a portion of the outer periphery of the case 32. The cover 33 is then permanently fixed to the holding device 4 and the bottom cover 35 using a plurality of fasteners 36 (see FIG. 8 ).

[0050] In addition, a raised structure 335 is provided on the peripheral edge of the cover 33 (i.e., the peripheral edge of the cover holding member 331). The raised structure 335 includes a rib-like left raised portion 336 provided on the left edge of the cover 33 (i.e., the left edge of the cover holding member 331) and a rib-like right raised portion 337 provided on the right edge of the cover 33 (i.e., the right edge of the cover holding member 331). The left raised portion 336 and the right raised portion 337 are each rib-like raised portions that extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the cover 33. The longitudinal direction of the cover 33 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the case 32. The left raised portion 336 and the right raised portion 337 protrude in directions that are separated from each other in the left-right direction.

[0051] The raised structure 335 further includes a left finger hook 338 extending from the upper end of the left raised portion 336, and a right finger hook 339 extending from the upper end of the right raised portion 337. The left finger hook 338 and the right finger hook 339 are both configured as L-shaped ribs that extend toward each other and are bent upward midway.

[0052] 14, a notch 34 is provided in the upper edge of the cover 33 (i.e., the upper edge of the cover holding member 331). The notch 34 is a notch for allowing a push-in portion 433 of a locking member 43 (described later) to protrude outward, and has a downwardly recessed shape. The notch 34 is located above one of the left and right finger hooks 338, 339, and in one embodiment of the battery 2, the notch 34 is located above the left finger hook 338.

[0053] The bottom cover 35 forming the lower end of the battery main body 3 is configured to slide along the lower end of the cutout portion 108 both when the battery 2 is inserted into the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10 and when the battery 2 is removed from the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16A, the front surface of the bottom cover 35 is provided with two concave curved surfaces 350 spaced apart on the left and right to smoothly guide the rotation of the battery 2 when it is inserted or removed. The concave curved surfaces 350 are spherically recessed with respect to the center of rotation of the battery 2 when it is inserted or removed. A protrusion 352 is provided between the left and right concave curved surfaces 350, protruding forward from the concave curved surfaces 350 (see FIG. 16B).

[0054] As shown in Figures 2, 6, 14, etc., a holder 109 for detachably holding the lower end of the battery 2 is provided at the lower end of the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10. The holder 109 is provided with a convex surface 100 configured to come into contact with a concave surface 350 of the lower end of the battery 2. The convex surface 100 is a convex surface that protrudes spherically from the center of rotation when the battery 2 is attached or detached. When the battery 2 is attached or detached, the concave surface 350 of the battery 2 slides against the convex surface 100 of the holder 109, ensuring stable rotation of the battery 2.

[0055] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the battery 2 is attached to the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10, the cover 33, which constitutes part of the outer surface of the battery 2, is exposed to the outside. In this state, a gap 200 is formed between the peripheral edge of the cover 33 (i.e., the peripheral edge of the cover holding member 331) and the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10. The gap 200 is a gap that prevents foreign matter from becoming trapped between the battery 2 and the cutout portion 108. The gap 200 preferably provides a distance of 8 mm or more between the battery 2 and the frame 10. This distance here refers to the distance between the outermost portion of the raised structure 335 (i.e., the most raised portion) and the outermost portion of the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10.

[0056] The gap 200 includes a left gap 201 formed along the left edge of the battery 2 and a right gap 202 formed along the right edge of the battery 2. When the battery 2 is attached to the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10, the left gap 201 and the right gap 202 are each formed in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the battery 2. When the battery 2 is attached to the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10, the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the cutout portion 108 and also coincides with the longitudinal direction of the portion of the frame 10 where the battery 2 is attached (more specifically, the longitudinal direction of the down tube 103).

[0057] When the battery 2 is attached to the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10, the raised structure 335 of the battery main body 3 is positioned in front of the gap 200 so as to cover at least a portion of the gap 200 (in other words, a portion or all of the gap 200) from the front. The left raised portion 336 included in the raised structure 335 is positioned in front of the left gap 201, and the right raised portion 337 included in the raised structure 335 is positioned in front of the right gap 202. Therefore, even if mud or the like is scattered toward the gap 200 from the front, it is stopped by the raised structure 335. This prevents the mud or the like from entering the gap 200. Furthermore, the presence of the left raised portion 336 and the right raised portion 337 allows the user to stably grip the battery 2 by placing their fingers on the left raised portion 336 and the right raised portion 337, respectively. The tips of the left ridge 336 and the right ridge 337 are preferably smoothly rounded.

[0058] The left gap 201 is preferably a gap that provides a distance of 8 mm or more between the left edge of the battery 2 and the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10. This distance is the distance between the outermost portion (i.e., the most raised portion) of the left bulge 336 and the outermost portion of the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10.

[0059] Similarly, the right gap 201 is preferably a gap that provides a distance of 8 mm or more between the right edge of the battery 2 and the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10. This distance is the distance between the outermost portion (i.e., the most raised portion) of the right protrusion 337 and the outermost portion of the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10.

[0060] 1-3. Holding device Next, the holding device 4 that forms the upper end of the battery 2 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. The holding device 4 is used to detachably hold the battery main body 3 to a locking device 6 fixed to the frame 10 of the electric bicycle 1.

[0061] The holding device 4 is fixed to the upper end of the case 32 of the battery main body 3 using a plurality of fasteners 49 (see FIG. 9). Each fastener 49 is, for example, a screw. In the battery 2, the upper opening of the case 32, which is a bottomless cylindrical shape, is closed by the holding device 4, and the lower opening of the case 32 is closed by the bottom cover 35.

[0062] The retaining device 4 includes a base portion 41 fixed to the case 32 so as to close the upper end opening of the case 32, a stopper 42 integrally formed with the base portion 41, a locking member 43 movably connected to the base portion 41, an elastic member 44 that applies a biasing force to the locking member 43, a cover member 45 fixed to the base portion 41 so as to cover at least a portion of the locking member 43 and the elastic member 44 (in other words, so as to cover a portion or all of the locking member 43 and all of the elastic member 44), and a lock plate 46 fixed to the base portion 41 so as to constitute the stopper 42. The locking member 43 is an operating lever 43. The stopper 42 is configured to selectively lock a portion of the locking device 6. In this case, the portion of the locking device 6 is a first locking portion 61 (i.e., a lock bar 634) described below.

[0063] The base portion 41 is a base member molded using resin, and integrally includes a flat main body 411 that closes the upper end opening of the case 32, a peripheral wall portion 412 that protrudes upward from the main body 411, and a protrusion portion 413 that protrudes from the main body 411 in the same direction as the peripheral wall portion 412. An area 410 for rotatably arranging the operating lever 43 is provided on the surface of the main body 411 opposite to the surface facing the battery main body 3 (i.e., the upper surface). A bottomed hole is formed in the area 410 into which a portion of the operating lever 43 is rotatably inserted. The portion of the operating lever 43 that is inserted into the hole is a support shaft portion 431, which will be described later.

[0064] The peripheral wall 412 protrudes in a direction away from the battery main body 3 (i.e., upward) from a portion of the main body 411 that surrounds the region 410. The operating lever 43 is rotatably disposed in the space surrounded by the main body 411 and the peripheral wall 412. In other words, the region 410 of the main body 411 and the peripheral wall 412 that surrounds it form an accommodating recess 415 that accommodates the operating lever 43. The accommodating recess 415 is open in a direction away from the battery main body 3.

[0065] An opening 418 is provided in the peripheral wall 412 to allow a portion of the operating lever 43 to protrude outward. The portion of the operating lever 43 protruding from the opening 418 includes a locking portion 432 and a push-in portion 433, which will be described later. In one embodiment, the first portion of the opening 418, which allows the locking portion 432 to protrude outward, and the second portion of the opening 418, which allows the push-in portion 433 to protrude outward, are provided in a continuous manner, but the first and second portions of the opening 418 may also be provided discontinuously.

[0066] A metal lock plate 46 is detachably fixed to the protrusion 413 using a fastener 48. The lock plate 46 is a reinforcing plate made by bending a metal plate such as stainless steel, and the stopper 42 is formed by fixing the lock plate 46 to the resin protrusion 413. When the lock plate 46 is fixed to the protrusion 413, the surface of the lock plate 46 forms the surface of the stopper 42.

[0067] The operating lever 43 integrally includes a lever body 430, a cylindrical support shaft 431 protruding from the lever body 430 toward the base portion 41, a locking portion 432 protruding from one side in the left-right direction from the lever body 430, and a push-in portion 433 protruding from one side in the left-right direction from the lever body 430. The support shaft 431 is rotatably connected to the body 411 by being inserted into the hole in the base portion 41. The locking portion 432 is configured to be selectively locked to a part of the locking device 6. In this case, the part of the locking device 6 is a second locking portion 62 (recess 645) described later. The push-in portion 433 is a portion that a user presses with his / her finger, and is configured so that the user's finger comes into contact with its tip surface.

[0068] The locking portion 432 and the pushing portion 433 protrude toward the same side from different portions of the lever body 430. In one embodiment of the battery 2, the locking portion 432 and the pushing portion 433 both protrude toward the left. The amount by which the pushing portion 433 protrudes from the lever body 430 is greater than the amount by which the locking portion 432 protrudes from the lever body 430. The amount by which the pushing portion 433 protrudes from the lever body 430 is preferably at least twice the amount by which the locking portion 432 protrudes from the lever body 430, and is preferably at least three times the amount by which the locking portion 432 protrudes from the lever body 430.

[0069] 10A, 10B, etc., when the operating lever 43 is viewed in the axial direction of the support shaft 431, the distance between the support shaft 431 and the pushing portion 433 is greater than the distance between the support shaft 431 and the locking portion 432. Therefore, the holding device 4 of one embodiment has the advantage that it is easy to ensure the movement range of the pushing portion 433, and also has the advantage that it is easy to apply a large force to the locking portion 432.

[0070] In addition, in the axial direction of the support shaft 431, the amount by which the support shaft 431 protrudes from the lever body 430 is greater than the amount by which the push-in portion 433 protrudes from the lever body 430 (see FIG. 11). In terms of ensuring the strength of the support shaft 431, it is preferable that the support shaft 431 has a dimension greater than the other portions of the operating lever 43 (i.e., the lever body 430, the locking portion 432, and the push-in portion 433) in the axial direction of the support shaft 431. In the axial direction of the support shaft 431, the locking portion 432 protrudes from the lever body 430 on the opposite side to the side from which the support shaft 431 protrudes (i.e., upward).

[0071] The operating lever 43 can swing left and right about a support shaft 431 between a locked position shown in FIG. 10A and an unlocked position shown in FIG. 10B. When the operating lever 43 is in the locked position, the locking portion 432 protrudes outward through an opening 418 in the peripheral wall portion 412. The outwardly protruding locking portion 432 can be locked with the second locking portion 62 of the locking device 6. In contrast, when the operating lever 43 is in the unlocked position, the locking portion 432 does not protrude outward through the opening 418. When the operating lever 43 is in the unlocked position, the locking portion 432 cannot be locked with the second locking portion 62 of the locking device 6.

[0072] The elastic member 44 is a coil spring provided separately from the operating lever 43. The elastic member 44 is disposed between the peripheral wall portion 412 and the operating lever 43 so as to maintain a compressed state. The elastic member 44 is provided so as to constantly apply a biasing force to the operating lever 43. The biasing force applied to the operating lever 43 is a biasing force in a direction parallel to the base portion 41 (i.e., a direction parallel to the flat plate-shaped main body 411). By being biased by the elastic member 44, the operating lever 43 maintains the locking position shown in FIG. 10A when no external force due to a pushing operation by the user is applied.

[0073] The cover member 45 is detachably fixed to the main body 411 of the base unit 41 using a fixing device 48. The fixing device 48 is a fixing device that fixes the cover member 45 and the lock plate 46 to the base unit 41 together. The fixing device 48 is, for example, a screw. By removing the fixing device 48 from the base unit 41, both the cover member 45 and the lock plate 46 can be removed, and at least one of the cover member 45 and the lock plate 46 can be replaced. It is also possible to remove the cover member 45 once and then replace the elastic member 44.

[0074] The cover member 45 is fixed to the base portion 41 so as to close the upward opening of the accommodation recess 415 and cover a part of the operating lever 43 and the elastic member 44. The part of the operating lever 43 here is the part of the operating lever 43 excluding the locking portion 432 and the pushing portion 433.

[0075] The cover member 45 is provided with a notch 451 that allows the locking portion 432 to move in the left-right direction (see FIG. 8, etc.). The locking portion 432 can swing in the left-right direction within the range of the notch 451. When the locking portion 432 abuts against the notch 451, the movement of the operating lever 43 on one side in the left-right direction (i.e., the right side) is restricted. Furthermore, when a part of the operating lever 43 abuts against the peripheral wall portion 412, the movement of the operating lever 43 on the other side in the left-right direction (i.e., the left side) is restricted.

[0076] The cover member 45 may cover at least a portion of the operating lever 43, and may, for example, cover the entire operating lever 43. The cover member 45 may be fixed to the base portion 41 so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever 43 excluding the push-in portion 433, or may be fixed to the base portion 41 so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever 43 excluding the locking portion 432, or may be fixed to the base portion 41 so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever 43 excluding the push-in portion 433 and the locking portion 432.

[0077] 1-4. Locking device The locking device 6 is a device that forms the main part of the locking unit 5 that is fixed to the frame 10, and as shown in Figure 5 etc., it can detachably fix the holding device 4 that forms part of the battery 2. In one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the holding device 4 and the locking device 6 form a battery holding mechanism 8 that holds the battery 2 on the frame 10.

[0078] As shown in Figures 12, 13, etc., the lock device 6 includes a main lock unit 63 that can be operated using a key, and a lock holder 64 that is integrally combined with the main lock unit 63. The main lock unit 63 is configured as a cylinder lock. The main lock unit 63 includes a cylindrical cylinder 632 having a keyhole 631 (see Figure 2, etc.), a lock case 633 that is integrally combined with the cylinder 632, and a lock bar 634 that is housed in the lock case 633. The lock case 633 integrally includes a square tubular first part 6331 in which the lock bar 634 is movably housed, and a second part 6332 for connecting to the fixed structure 7.

[0079] The movement direction of the locking bar 634 is the same as the first direction 91 described below. The amount by which the locking bar 634 can move in this direction is preferably set within a range of 6 mm to 10 mm, for example, 8 mm. The amount by which the locking bar 634 can move in the first direction 91 is preferably set to be larger than the amount by which the position of the locking device 6 can be adjusted relative to the frame 10 in the first direction 91. In other words, the amount by which the position of the locking device 6 can be adjusted relative to the frame 10 in the first direction 91 is preferably set to be smaller than the amount by which the locking bar 634 can move in the first direction 91.

[0080] Cylinder 632 is configured so that its inner cylindrical portion rotates when a predetermined key is inserted into keyhole 631 provided on one end surface of cylinder 632 and turned. Locking device 6 is configured so that the amount by which the tip portion of lock bar 634 protrudes from first portion 6331 of lock case 633 changes as the inner cylindrical portion of cylinder 632 rotates.

[0081] In one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the lock bar 634 movably held by the main lock unit 63 constitutes the first locking portion 61 that locks with the stopper 42 of the holding device 4. In other words, the tip of the lock bar 634 is engaged with the stopper 42 with the tip protruding downward from the first portion 6331 (see FIG. 5), thereby fixing the battery 2 so that it does not come off the notched portion 108 of the frame 10. When the main lock unit 63 is operated to retract the lock bar 634 into the first portion 6331, the lock bar 634 moves to a position where it is not engaged with the stopper 42. This releases the main lock of the battery 2 to the frame 10.

[0082] The lock holder 64 has a rectangular through-hole 641 into which a convex first portion 6331 included in the lock case 633 fits, and a positioning piece 643 into which a part of the main locking portion 63 fits. With the first portion 6331 fitted in the through-hole 641, the locking bar 634 can protrude toward the holding device 4 through the opening of the first portion 6331. A part of the main locking portion 63 is provided with an arc-shaped notch 638 into which the positioning piece 643 fits. The tip edge of the positioning piece 643 has an arc-shaped recessed shape to match the notch 638.

[0083] As shown in Figure 5 and other figures, a portion of the lock holder 64 is provided so as to cover the upper end of the cutout portion 108 from the outside when the locking device 6 is fixed to the frame 10. Here, the portion of the lock holder 64 is a portion that protrudes upward from the portion of the lock holder 64 that is located outermost when the locking device 6 is fixed to the frame 10. By providing this portion to the lock holder 64, when the battery 2 is attached to the frame 10, the battery 2 is prevented from directly hitting the portions of the frame 10 excluding the cutout portion 108, thereby protecting the frame 10.

[0084] 7, a recess 645 is formed on the underside 640 of the lock holder 64 (i.e., the surface facing the retaining device 4) to which the locking portion 432 of the operating lever 43 can be locked. In one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the recess 645 of the lock holder 64 forms the second locking portion 62 to which the operating lever 43 is locked.

[0085] When an external force caused by the user's pushing operation is not applied to the operating lever 43, the locking portion 432 of the operating lever 43, which is in the locked position, locks into the recess 645. This fixes the battery 2 so that it does not come off the notched portion 108 of the frame 10. When an external force is applied to the operating lever 43 to move it to the unlocked position, the locking portion 432 of the operating lever 43 moves to a position where it is not locked into the recess 645. This releases the sub-lock of the battery 2 from the frame 10.

[0086] In this way, in the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment, the battery 2 is fixed to the frame 10 in two ways: by a main lock operated by key operation and by a sub-lock using the operating lever 43.

[0087] When doubly locking the battery 2 to the locking device 6, it is desirable that the relative positions of the first locking portion 61 and the second locking portion 62 of the locking device 6 be determined with high precision. In contrast, in the locking device 6 of one embodiment, the main locking portion 63 that movably holds the first locking portion 61 (i.e., the lock bar 634) and the second locking portion 62 (i.e., the recess 645 of the lock holder 64) that is configured to lock the operating lever 43 are integrally configured. Therefore, the relative positions of the first locking portion 61 and the second locking portion 62 are determined with high precision.

[0088] 1-5.Fixed structure The fixing structure 7 is a structure that constitutes the lock unit 5 in combination with the lock device 6, and has the function of fixing the lock device 6 to the longitudinal end of the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10 (specifically, the upper end of the cutout portion 108). The longitudinal direction of the cutout portion 108 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the portion of the frame 10 where the battery 2 is attached (i.e., the down tube 103).

[0089] The fixing structure 7 is fixed to the frame 10 so that its position can be adjusted, and is also fixed to the locking device 6 so that its position can be adjusted. The fixing structure 7 and the frame 10 are fixed so that their positions can be adjusted within a predetermined range in a first direction 91, and the fixing structure 7 and the locking device 6 are fixed so that their positions can be adjusted within a predetermined range in a second direction 92. The second direction 92 is a direction different from the first direction 91. It is preferable that the first direction 91 and the second direction 92 are perpendicular to each other.

[0090] Furthermore, the dimensions of the fixing structure 7 are adjustable in a third direction 93. Because the dimensions of the fixing structure 7 are adjustable, even if variations in the dimensions of the frame 10 occur during the manufacturing stage, these variations can be absorbed by adjusting the dimensions of the fixing structure 7. The third direction 93 is a direction different from the first direction 91. It is preferable that the first direction 91 and the third direction 93 are perpendicular to each other.

[0091] In one embodiment of the fixing structure 7, the first direction 91 is the longitudinal direction of the cutout portion 108, the longitudinal direction of the portion of the frame 10 where the battery 2 is attached (i.e., the down tube 103), and the longitudinal direction of the battery 2 when attached to the frame 10. The second direction 92 is the front-to-rear width direction of the down tube 103 and is perpendicular to the first direction 91. The third direction 93, like the second direction 92, is the front-to-rear width direction of the down tube 103 and is perpendicular to the first direction 91. The first direction 91 can also be referred to as the up-down direction, and the second direction 92 and the third direction 93 can also be referred to as the front-to-rear direction.

[0092] The specific structure of the fixing structure 7 will be further described below. The fixing structure 7 includes a first metal plate 71 that constitutes the main part of the fixing structure 7, a second metal plate 72 that supports the first metal plate 71, a first structure for fixing the first metal plate 71 to the frame 10 so that its position can be adjusted, and a second structure for fixing the first metal plate 71 to the locking device 6 so that its position can be adjusted. The second metal plate 72 is a metal plate that is smaller than the first metal plate 71.

[0093] The first metal sheet 71 is an L-shaped metal sheet having a corner portion 715. A first side portion 711 of the first metal sheet 71 sandwiching the corner portion 715 is a flat plate-like portion that is fixed to the frame 10 so that its position can be adjusted. A second side portion 712 of the first metal sheet 71 sandwiching the corner portion 715 is a flat plate-like portion that is fixed to the locking device 6 so that its position can be adjusted. The corner portion 715 is curved in an arc shape so as to smoothly connect the first side portion 711 and the second side portion 712.

[0094] The first structure for fixing the first metal sheet 71 to the frame 10 includes at least one hole 761 provided in the first side portion 711 of the first metal sheet 71, and at least one fastener 771 inserted into the hole.

[0095] In one embodiment, in the fixing structure 7, the at least one hole 761 is a plurality of holes 761 (specifically, two holes 761), and the at least one fastener 771 is a plurality of fasteners 771 (specifically, two fasteners 771). Each hole 761 is a through-hole with the first direction 91 as its longitudinal direction. Each fastener 771 is, for example, a screw, which is inserted into the corresponding hole 761 and fixed to the frame 10. With each fastener 771 inserted into the corresponding hole 761, the first metal sheet 71 and the frame 10 are fixed so that their positions can be adjusted in the first direction 91 within a range in which each fastener 771 can move in the first direction 91 relative to the corresponding hole 761.

[0096] The second structure for fixing the first metal sheet 71 and the locking device 6 includes at least one hole 762 provided in the second side portion 712 of the first metal sheet 71, at least one fastener 772 inserted therein, and at least one hole 763 provided in the lock case 633 of the locking device 6. In one embodiment of the fixing structure 7, the at least one hole 762 is a plurality of holes 762 (specifically, three holes 762). The at least one fastener 772 is a plurality of fasteners 772 (specifically, three fasteners 772). The at least one hole 763 is a plurality of holes 763 (specifically, three holes 763). Each hole 762 in the second side portion 712 is a through-hole screw hole. Each hole 763 in the lock case 633 is a through-hole with the second direction 92 as its longitudinal direction. Each fastener 772 is, for example, a screw, and is fixed to the first metal sheet 71 while being inserted into the corresponding hole 763 and inserted into the corresponding hole 762. This fixes the first metal sheet 71 and the locking device 6. The positions of the first metal sheet 71 and the locking device 6 in the second direction 92 are adjustable within a range in which each fastener 772 can move in the second direction 92 while being inserted into the corresponding hole 763.

[0097] These multiple fixing devices 772 can be inserted from the side of the notched portion 108 of the frame 10. Therefore, the work of attaching the lock unit 5 to the frame 10 can be easily performed.

[0098] The second metal sheet 72 is an L-shaped metal sheet having a corner portion 725. A first side portion 721 of the second metal sheet 72 sandwiching the corner portion 725 is a flat plate-like portion that is fixed to the frame 10 so that its position can be adjusted. A second side portion 722 of the second metal sheet 72 sandwiching the corner portion 725 is a flat plate-like portion that is fixed to the first metal sheet 71 and the locking device 6 so that its position can be adjusted.

[0099] The structure for fixing the second metal plate 72 to the frame 10 includes at least one hole 764 provided in the first side portion 721 of the second metal plate 72 and at least one fastener 773 inserted into the hole.

[0100] In one embodiment of the fixing structure 7, the at least one hole 764 is a plurality of holes 764 (specifically, two holes 764), and the at least one fastener 773 is a plurality of fasteners 773 (specifically, two fasteners 773). Each fastener 773 is, for example, a screw. Each hole 764 is a screw hole into which a fastener 771 is inserted. Each fastener 773 is inserted into the corresponding hole 764 through an elongated hole formed in the frame 10 so that the first direction 91 is the longitudinal direction. In this way, the second metal plate 72 and the frame 10 are fixed so that their positions can be adjusted in the first direction 91.

[0101] The structure for fixing the second metal sheet 72 to the first metal sheet 71 and the locking device 6 includes at least one hole 765 provided in the second side portion 722 of the second metal sheet 72, at least one fastener 774 inserted therein, at least one hole 766 provided in the lock case 633 of the locking device 6, and at least one hole 767 provided in the second side portion 712 of the first metal sheet 71. In the fixing structure 7 of one embodiment, the at least one hole 765 is one hole 765. The at least one fastener 774 is one fastener 774. The at least one hole 766 is one hole 766. The at least one hole 767 is one hole 767. The fastener 774 is, for example, a screw.

[0102] The hole 765 of the second metal sheet 72 is a through-hole with the third direction 93 as its longitudinal direction. The fastener 774 for fastening the second metal sheet 72 to the locking device 6 is configured as one of the three fasteners 772 for fastening the first metal sheet 71 to the locking device 6. The hole 766 of the lock case 633 is configured as one of the three holes 763 for fastening the first metal sheet 71 to the locking device 6. The hole 767 of the first metal sheet 71 is a through-hole screw hole and is configured as one of the three holes 762 for fastening the first metal sheet 71 to the locking device 6.

[0103] The fastener 774 is inserted into the corresponding hole 767 through a hole 765 having the third direction 93 as its longitudinal direction. As a result, the second metal sheet 72 is fixed to the first metal sheet 71 so that its position can be adjusted in the third direction 93, and is also fixed to the locking device 6 so that its position can be adjusted in the third direction 93. A recess 6335 into which a portion 728 of the second metal sheet 72 fits is provided in a second portion 6332 of a lock case 633 included in the locking device 6. The portion 728 of the second metal sheet 72 is a part of the second-side portion 722, more specifically, a portion of the second-side portion 722 in which the hole 765 is provided. The portion 728 of the second metal sheet 72 is movable within a predetermined range in the third direction 93 while fitted in the recess 6335. Fitting the portion 728 of the second metal sheet 72 into the recess 6335 facilitates the relative positioning of the second metal sheet 72 and the locking device 6.

[0104] In this manner, in the fixing structure 7 of one embodiment, the second metal plate 72 and the locking device 6 are fixed together to the first metal plate 71 using a common fixing tool 774 (772). The third direction 93 is preferably the same as the second direction 92.

[0105] Additionally, the lock unit 5 of one embodiment further includes a locking structure that locks the locking device 6 to the fixed structure 7 so that the locking device 6 is slidable in the second direction 92. This locking structure includes an L-shaped hook 65 provided on the locking device 6 and an insertion hole 78 provided on the fixed structure 7 so that the hook 65 can be inserted therethrough.

[0106] The hook 65 protrudes from the lock case 633 toward the first metal sheet 71 (i.e., upward). The hook 65 has a first portion 651 extending from the lock case 633 in the first direction 91 and a second portion 652 extending from a part (specifically, a tip portion) of the first portion 651 in the second direction 92. The second portion 652 extends rearward in the second direction 92. The insertion hole 78 is a rectangular hole that penetrates a second-side portion 712 of the first metal sheet 71. In the lock unit 5 of one embodiment, the hook 65 is slidably engaged with the first metal sheet 71 when the first portion 651 is inserted through the insertion hole 78 and the second portion 652 abuts against the second-side portion 712 of the first metal sheet 71. This prevents the lock unit 5 from being deformed by the weight of the battery 2 when the load is applied to the lock unit 5.

[0107] 1-6.Effects In one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1 having the above configuration, the battery 2 can be doubly secured to the frame 10 by using both a main lock function based on the user's key operation and a sub-lock function using the operating lever 43. The user can simply push in the operating lever 43 while holding the battery 2 with one hand, for example.

[0108] Specifically, when removing the battery 2 from the frame 10, first insert a key into the keyhole 631 and turn it in a predetermined direction, then pull up the lock bar 634 and retract it into the locking device 6, thereby separating the lock bar 634 from the stopper 42 of the retaining device 4 and releasing the main lock. At this stage, the locking portion 432 of the retaining device 4 is locked with the locking device 6, and the sub-lock is maintained.

[0109] Next, the user can grasp the upper end of the battery 2 with, for example, the left hand and, while holding it, push the pushing portion 433 horizontally with the thumb of the left hand. Alternatively, the user can grasp the upper end of the battery 2 with the right hand and, while holding it, push the pushing portion 433 horizontally with the index finger of the right hand. Pushing the pushing portion 433 operates the operating lever 43 inside the holding device 4, and the sub-lock provided by the locking portion 432 is released. The user can safely and easily remove the battery 2 while still holding it.

[0110] When attaching the battery 2 to the frame 10, the lower end of the battery 2 is first placed on the lower end of the cutout portion 108 (i.e., the holder 109), and the battery 2 is then rotated backward around the lower end of the cutout portion 108. The operating lever 43 of the holding device 4 moves against the biasing force at a position where the engaging portion 432 abuts the locking device 6, and then returns to its original position (locking position) due to the biasing force. At this time, the engaging portion 432 of the holding device 4 is engaged with the locking device 6, and a sub-lock is automatically performed. Next, the user inserts a key into the keyhole 631 and turns it in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, lowering the locking bar 634 so that it projects from the locking device 6, thereby engaging the locking bar 634 with the stopper 42 of the holding device 4 and performing the main lock.

[0111] Thus, according to the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment, safety can be improved by doubly securing the battery 2 to the frame 10 of the electric bicycle 1. In addition, the user can safely and easily remove the battery 2 from the frame 10 and attach the battery 2 to the frame 10.

[0112] Additionally, with the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment, after the main lock is released, the battery 2 remains fitted in the notch 108 until the sub-lock is released, and the relative position between the locking device 6 and the holding device 4 does not change. The phrase "relative position does not change" here also includes cases where there is a design-allowable amount of rattle. The rattle is preferably within 0.6 mm, and more preferably within 0.2 mm. In other words, because the battery 2 does not tip forward immediately after the main lock is released, the frame 10 has greater design freedom; for example, the distance between the down tube 103 and the front wheel 111 can be shortened.

[0113] According to one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, when the battery 2 is attached to the cutout portion 108, the cover 33 that constitutes part of the battery 2 is exposed to the outside, and the cover 33 functions to protect the portion of the battery 2 excluding the cover 33. In addition, when the battery 2 is attached to the cutout portion 108, a gap 200 is formed between the cover 33 and the cutout portion 108, which prevents foreign objects from becoming caught between the battery 2 and the cutout portion 108 when the battery 2 is attached.

[0114] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the position of the locking device 6 used to detachably mount the battery 2 to the frame 10 can be adjusted relative to the frame 10 in two directions, a first direction 91 and a second direction 92. Additionally, according to one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the dimensions of the fixing structure 7 interposed between the locking device 6 and the frame 10 can be adjusted in a third direction 93.

[0115] 2. Variations Each of the components of the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment is merely an example, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of achieving the same operational effects.

[0116] For example, the electric bicycle 1 in one embodiment is an electrically assisted bicycle, but it may also be an electric bicycle in which at least one of the front wheel 111 and the rear wheel 112 can be rotated by the rotational force of an electric motor alone. The electric bicycle 1 in one embodiment has two wheels 11, but the number of wheels 11 is not particularly limited, and it is also possible to have three wheels 11, for example.

[0117] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the locking member (operating lever) 43 is movable left and right between a locked position where it is locked with the second locking portion 62 and an unlocked position where it is not locked with the second locking portion 62, but both the locking member 43 and the second locking portion 62 may be movable, or only the second locking portion 62 may be movable. In other words, both the second locking portion 62 and the locking member 43 may be movable between a locked position where the second locking portion 62 and the locking member 43 are locked with each other and an unlocked position where the second locking portion 62 and the locking member 43 are not locked with each other, or one of the second locking portion 62 and the locking member 43 may be movable between a locked position where the second locking portion 62 and the locking member 43 are locked with each other and an unlocked position where the second locking portion 62 and the locking member 43 are not locked with each other. The left-right direction is a direction different from the first direction 91, and can also be called a fourth direction. In one embodiment, the fourth direction is perpendicular to the first, second, and third directions.

[0118] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the elastic member 44 is a coil spring provided separately from the operating lever 43, but the elastic member 44 may be composed of other materials such as a leaf spring as long as it applies a biasing force to the operating lever 43 to maintain the locked position. Furthermore, since the operating lever 43 is only required to be biased to maintain the locked position, it is not essential to provide the elastic member 44 separately from the operating lever 43; at least a portion of the operating lever 43 may be composed of an elastic body, and the restoring force of the elastic body may bias the operating lever 43 to maintain the locked position.

[0119] In addition, in one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the operating lever 43 is biased to the left, but this is merely an example. The operating lever 43 may be biased to the right, or may be biased to any other direction, such as forward or backward.

[0120] Furthermore, although the electric bicycle 1 in one embodiment is configured so that the battery 2 is removed from the frame 10 in a forward direction (more specifically, diagonally downward and forward), the battery 2 may be removed in the opposite direction. That is, the electric bicycle 1 may be configured so that the battery 2 is removed in a rearward direction (more specifically, diagonally upward and rearward). In this case, it is preferable that the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10 opens toward the rear (more specifically, diagonally upward and rearward). Even in this case, it is preferable that a gap 200 be formed between the cutout portion 108 of the frame 10 and the battery 2 to prevent foreign objects from becoming trapped. Furthermore, it is preferable that the battery 2 is provided with a raised structure 335 located behind the gap 200, and that the raised structure 335 covers at least a portion of the gap 200 (in other words, part or all of the gap 200) from behind.

[0121] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the raised structure 335 is provided on the peripheral edge of the cover holding member 331, but as in a modified example shown in FIG. 17 , it may be provided on the peripheral edge of the cover member 330. In this modified example, a left raised portion 336 is provided on the left edge of the cover member 330, and a right raised portion 337 is provided on the right edge of the cover member 330. The left edge of the cover member 330 is bent in an L-shape so as to fold back to the right, and this bent portion constitutes the left raised portion 336 that protrudes further left than the left edge of the cover holding member 331. The right edge of the cover member 330 is bent in an L-shape so as to fold back to the left, and this bent portion constitutes the right raised portion 337 that protrudes further right than the right edge of the cover holding member 331. It should be noted that the term "bent in an L-shape" used here is not limited to a bend at a right angle, but also includes a bend at an acute angle and also includes a bend at an obtuse angle. It is preferable that the tips of left bulge 336 and right bulge 337 (i.e., the corners of the L-shape bend) have a smoothly rounded outer shape.

[0122] In addition, in the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment, the raised structure 335 including the left raised portion 336, the right raised portion 337, etc. is provided integrally with the cover holding member 331, but it is also preferable that the raised structure 335 be provided separately from the cover holding member 331. In the modified example shown in FIG. 17, the raised structure 335 including the left raised portion 336, the right raised portion 337, etc. is provided integrally with the cover member 330 (in other words, it is formed by part of the cover member 330), but it is also preferable that the raised structure 335 be provided separately from the cover member 330. In addition, in the electric bicycle 1 of one embodiment and the modified example shown in FIG. 17, the left raised portion 336 and the right raised portion 337 have bilaterally symmetrical shapes, but it is also preferable that the left raised portion 336 and the right raised portion 337 have bilaterally asymmetrical shapes.

[0123] In addition, in one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the fixing structure 7 includes a first metal plate 71 and a second metal plate 72, but the second metal plate 72 is not required in the fixing structure 7, and it is possible that the fixing structure 7 does not include the second metal plate 72.

[0124] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the electric bicycle 1, the first locking portion 61 (lock bar 634) is movable in the first direction 91, but the first locking portion 61 may also be movable in the second direction 92. In this case, the first locking portion 61 is configured to be movable in the second direction 92 between a locking position where the battery 2 is locked and an unlocking position where the battery 2 is not locked. It is preferable that the amount by which the position of the locking device 6 can be adjusted relative to the frame 10 in the second direction 92 be set smaller than the amount by which the first locking portion 61 can move in the second direction 92.

[0125] To improve the anti-theft performance of the battery 2, it is also preferable to provide a protrusion 37 for preventing the insertion of foreign objects at the upper end of the case 32 of the battery main body 3, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 18 . The protrusion 37 is a rib-like portion provided so as to protrude upward (i.e., protrude toward the locking device 6) at the upper end of the battery 2, which is exposed to the outside when the battery 2 is attached to the notch 108 of the frame 10 (specifically, at the upper end of the cover 33). When the battery 2 is attached, the protrusion 37 is positioned so as to conceal the gap 95 formed between the holding device 4 constituting the upper end of the battery 2 and the locking device 6 so that it cannot be seen from the outside. The gap 95 is formed between the cover member 45 of the holding device 4 and the lock holder 64 of the locking device 6. If a foreign object such as a thin plate or rod were inserted through this gap from the outside, the locking bar 634 could be operated by the foreign object. However, the presence of the protrusion 37 reduces the possibility of the locking bar 634 being operated from the outside.

Claims

1. a holding device used to detachably hold the battery body relative to a locking device fixed to a notch in the frame of the electric bicycle; a battery body having the holding device fixed to one end thereof, The holding device a base portion fixed to the battery body; a stopper configured to be engaged by a first engaging portion included in the locking device; a locking member configured to lock onto a second locking portion included in the locking device, the first engaging portion is movable in a first direction, the locking member is an operating lever that is movable in a direction different from the first direction between a locking position where the second locking portion and the locking member lock with each other and a non-locking position where the second locking portion and the locking member do not lock with each other, the operating lever has a spindle portion rotatably connected to the base portion, a locking portion configured to lock onto the second locking portion of the locking device, and a pushing portion to be pushed in by a user, The battery body has a notch for allowing the pushing portion to protrude to the outside. battery.

2. The battery body has a raised portion, When the battery is attached to the notch of the frame, a gap is formed between the battery and the frame to prevent foreign objects from getting caught, The raised portion is located in front of the gap so as to cover at least a portion of the gap from the front.

10. The battery of claim 1.

3. The gap is formed so that a distance of 8 mm or more is provided between the outermost portion of the raised portion and the outermost portion of the notched portion of the frame.

3. The battery of claim 2.

4. The raised portion has a rib-shaped left raised portion provided on the left edge portion of the battery body, and a rib-shaped right raised portion provided on the right edge portion of the battery body, The left and right raised portions are rib-shaped raised portions that extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the battery body, and the left and right raised portions protrude in directions that separate from each other in the left-right direction. The battery of claim 2 or 3.

5. The battery body has a cylindrical case surrounding the storage battery cells and a cover attached to the outer surface of the case, The left and right raised portions are rib-like raised portions provided on the cover and extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the cover.

5. The battery of claim 4.

6. The battery body has a cylindrical case surrounding the storage battery cell and a cover attached to the outer surface of the case, The cover is provided with the notch. The battery of any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The battery body has a cylindrical case surrounding a storage battery cell, a projection that projects toward the locking device is provided on an upper end of the case of the battery main body; When the battery is attached to the frame, the protrusion is positioned to cover and conceal the gap formed between the holding device and the locking device so that it cannot be seen from the outside.

10. The battery of claim 1.

8. The operating lever is biased so as to maintain the locking position.

10. The battery of claim 1.

9. The distance between the support shaft portion and the pushing portion is greater than the distance between the support shaft portion and the locking portion.

10. The battery of claim 1.

10. Further comprising a lock plate fixed to the base portion, The surface of the lock plate constitutes the surface of the stopper.

10. The battery of claim 1.

11. Further comprising a cover member fixed to the base portion, The cover member is fixed to the base portion so as to cover at least a portion of the operating lever excluding the pushing portion.

10. The battery of claim 1.

12. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; the locking device including the first locking portion and the second locking portion, The first locking portion is movable in the first direction between a locking position where it is locked to the stopper of the holding device and a non-locking position where it is not locked to the stopper. Battery retention mechanism.

13. The locking device is The second locking portion configured to be locked by the locking member and a main locking portion that movably holds the first locking portion are integrally provided.

13. The battery retention mechanism of claim 12.

14. The battery holding mechanism of claim 12 or 13; the battery body to which the holding device of the battery holding mechanism is fixed; the frame to which the locking device of the battery holding mechanism is fixed, The holding device is fixed to the upper end of the battery body. Electric bicycle.

Images